attacking either of them--so much absorbed were they in watching the
novel contest. It was only after the rhinoceros had retreated, and the
elephant returned to the water, that they once more began to deliberate
on some plan of assaulting this mightiest of African animals. Hans now
laid hold of his gun and joined them.

The elephant, after looking about for his enemy, had got back, and was
standing knee-deep in the lake. He appeared restless and highly excited.
His tail was continually in motion, and at intervals he uttered a
piercing melancholy scream--far different to the usual trumpet-like
bellow of his voice. He lifted his huge limbs, and then plunged them
back again to the bottom, until the foam gathered upon the water with
his continued churning.

But the oddest of his actions was the manner in which he employed his
long tubular trunk. With this he sucked up vast volumes of water, and
then pointing it backwards ejected the fluid over his back and
shoulders, as if from an immense syringe. This shower-bath he kept
repeating time after time, though it was evident he was not at his ease.

They all knew he was angry. Swartboy said it would be exceedingly
dangerous to be seen by him at that moment, without having a horse to
gallop out of his way. On this account every one of them had concealed
themselves behind the trunk of the nwana-tree, Von Bloom peeping past
one side, and Hendrik the other, in order to watch his movements.

Notwithstanding the danger, they at length resolved to attack him. They
believed that if they did not do so soon, he would walk off, and leave
them supperless--for they had hoped to sup upon a slice of his trunk.
Time, therefore, had grown precious, and they resolved to attack him
without further ado.

They intended to creep as near as was safe. All three would fire
together, and then lie close in the bushes until they saw the effect of
their shots.

Without farther parley, Von Bloom, Hans, and Hendrik, leaving the tree,
crept through the bushes towards the western end of the lake. It was not
a continuous thicket, but only an assemblage of copses and clumps, so
that they required to steal very cautiously from one to the other. Von
Bloom led the way, while the boys kept in his tracks, following him
closely.

After some five minutes spent in this way, they got under cover of a
little clump near the water's edge, and near enough to the gigantic
game. Upon their hands and knees they now appro